According to the Alzheimer's Society, there are currently 900,000 people living with dementia in the UK and this is predicted to rise to 1.6 million by 2040.
Now, a new study from the University of Arizona has found that adults over 60 who spend a lot of time doing sedentary activities, such as sitting and watching TV or driving, are at increased risk of developing dementia. It became clear that there was a high possibility.
This is extremely worrying given that, according to the NHS, the average adult in the UK spends around nine hours a day sitting.
Relationship between sedentary lifestyle and dementia
The study found that how sedentary behavior accumulates over the course of a day is less important than the total amount of time spent sedentary each day.
Gene Alexander, a professor of psychology and psychiatry at the University of Arizona, says, “Regardless of how sedentary time accumulates, spending 10 hours a day sitting increases the risk of dementia rapidly. I was surprised to discover that it started to increase.
“This suggests that it is the total amount of time spent sedentary that drives the relationship between sedentary behavior and dementia risk. But importantly, low levels of up to ca. sedentary behavior was not associated with increased risk.”
Office workers breathe a small sigh of relief.
How to reduce dementia risk with exercise
Although this study concerns older adults, getting into the habit of moving more often can only be a good thing.
According to the Alzheimer's Association, regular exercise can reduce your risk of developing dementia by about 28%. Especially for Alzheimer's disease, the risk is reduced by 45%.
But for those of us who don't, especially The Alzheimer's Association, who tend to exercise regularly, has announced some great news: It can also mean everyday activities such as brisk walking, cleaning, or gardening. ”
One study found that daily physical tasks such as cooking and washing can reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease.
